About the High School Huddle

Welcome to the Citizen-Times' constantly-updated blog for Western North Carolina high school sports. Features include breaking news, scores and stats, college recruiting updates and live blogs from some of the marquee games in WNC. Readers are encouraged to comment on posts, but personal attacks on current athletes, coaches and their families will not be tolerated and are subject to edit or removal at the moderator's discretion.

8. (2) Roberson (Asheville, N.C.), 6-1McDowell spoiled Roberson’s showdown with North Buncombe by defeating the Rams 9-8 earlier in the week. Roberson bounced back to top North Buncombe 8-4. Roberson was able to top North Buncombe ace Alex Destino with Chris Barnwell going 2-for-2 with a home run and Braxton Davidson adding a two-run single. Roberson also had a previously unreported 10-2 win over Enka.

13. (16) North Buncombe (Weaverville, N.C.), 7-1The Black Hawks dropped a tough one to Roberson (Asheville) 8-4 last week, despite having All-American candidate Alex Destino on the mound. North Buncombe picked up an 8-2 win over Enka and a 2-0 victory over McDowell. Destino belted his fifth home run of the season in the win over Enka.

Coleman Arrowood was on his game Monday, and that always means good things for the McDowell baseball team.

The right-handed senior threw a complete game three-hitter as the Titans collected a 2-0 shutout win at Erwin.

Arrowood had four strikeouts and only walked two Warriors (5-5, 2-3). Meanwhile at the plate Monday, Morris was 2-for-3 with a solo home run. Devon Harper was 1-for-2 at the plate with a walk. Will Myers went 1-3 with a double.

Monday was the first game for McDowell (5-3, 3-1) since suffering its first Mountain Athletic Conference loss – a 2-0 defeat at the hands of North Buncombe on Friday in Marion.

North Carolina’s top-ranked 3-A girls soccer team has earned some time off.

Undefeated Reynolds was pushed Monday night in a rivalry game versus Asheville High, but the Rockets pushed back to take a 5-3 win inside Dalton Stadium.

Leading scorer Megan McCallister netted the first of her two goals just 29 seconds into the Mountain Athletic Conference game between two state-ranked teams. Reynolds (12-0-0, 3-0-0) is No. 1 in the N.C. Soccer Coaches Association’s NCHSAA 3-A girls rankings for the second consecutive week, while the Cougars (7-3-0, 2-1-0) are a new entry at No. 10.

Reynolds will not play again until April 8 (at Enka).

UNC Asheville recruit Zoe Lewis, Nina Stapleton and Karissa Grooms also had goals Monday for the Rockets, who led 3-2 at halftime and outshot the Cougars, 22-8. Lewis, Stapleton and Makayla Ballenger were credited with assists.

Stapleton’s goal with 37:40 remaining in the second half was a free kick and a picture-perfect one at that, it nestled in the top half of the goal.

“Asheville is a great team, so we knew it was going to be tough tonight,” Reynolds coach Patrick Gladys said.

“There were a lot of quality goals. The break is much-needed for us. We’ll continue to train, but we’ve got some bumps and bruises that need time to heal.”

McCallister now has 25 goals, which means the junior is rapidly approaching the total (32) that she had in 2013 when McCallister was the Citizen-Times All-WNC Player of the Year and Mountain Athletic Conference Offensive Player of the Year.

Stapleton now has 14 goals, while Lewis ranks second in assists (10) to McCallister (13).

As a team, the Rockets have outscored opponents, 74-9. Gladys has been the coach at Reynolds for 16 years, but this is his first girls team to attain a No. 1 state ranking.

Asheville got two goals Monday from Hannah Sirkin and a third from Antares Lance. Cougars goalkeeper Graycen Dave made five saves, while Dallas Warren had four for Reynolds.

Chris Deal was introduced as Roberson’s new football coach on Monday (PHOTO: GOLDEN FLEECE).

Roberson only advertised its football-coaching vacancy for 10 days.

In that short amount of time, the Rams feel like they found the right candidate in Chris Deal.

Deal met with his players for the first time Monday morning, just ahead of the public announcement that he was the replacement for Jim Beatty, who resigned last month after going 54-42 in nine seasons.

Deal has been the offensive coordinator at Emerald (S.C.) since 2011 and has experience as a head coach at three different NCHSAA schools – Alexander Central, Lexington and Patton.

His career record is 59-64.

“I was really impressed with what I saw today,” Deal said.

“The kids have a good work ethic and they are ready to get to work and be successful together. The wins and losses will come, but the journey is the most important thing to me. We’re going to care about each other and work to be the best unit that we can be.”

Deal has a daughter who is a high school senior in South Carolina and therefore his family won’t set up a permanent home in the area until June.

“On behalf of the administration of T.C. Roberson High School, we are excited to welcome Chris Deal to our football program,” Roberson Principal Amy Rhoney said.

“Coach Deal brings a positive and caring personality along with a hard-working attitude that we will expect from his players. With our already strong and talented coaching staff, along with coach Deal’s determination and knowledge of the game, we are looking forward to great things this year and in the coming years.”

The Rams went 4-8 last season and collected their third consecutive Mountain Athletic Conference 4-A championship, but it has been seven years since their last state playoff win.

Roberson is the fifth Western North Carolina school to change football coaches since the 2013 season ended in December, joining Cherokee (Kent Briggs), East Henderson (Mac MacMillan), Mitchell (Travise Pitman) and Polk County (Jamie Thompson).

Beatty stepped down to become the offensive line coach at Mars Hill University, a position that MacMillan occupied last season.

Bryce Hensley is one of the players behind a three-game winning streak for the Reynolds baseball team and one of the Citizen-Times/Western North Carolina Spring Sports Athletes of the Week.

Hensley and Asheville High golfer Patrick Mosher are the co-winners of the boys award, while North Buncombe softball player Taylor Van Reenen and Reynolds softball player Josie Harris share this week’s girls award.

Hensley was 5-fot-7 (.714) at the plate for the Rockets (4-3, 2-2) in three games last week, with five RBIs and one home run. He also threw a one-hit shutout and had 10 strikeouts Friday as Reynolds blanked Asheville High, 10-0.

Hensley has signed to play for Catawba Valley Community College.

Mosher is also a senior and has broken 80 in each of the the Cougars’ first three Mountain Athletic Conference golf matches (75, 78 and 75). Asheville finished with a team score of 320 Wednesday at Reems Creek, becoming the first MAC 3-A team to beat both 4-A schools (McDowell and Roberson) in four and a half years.

Van Reenen went 7-for-7 in softball games last week for the Black Hawks (4-4, 0-3) to raise the senior’s WNC-best batting average to .824. Van Reenen has 14 hits in 17 at bats for North Buncombe.

Meanwhile, Harris and the Rockets (7-0, 2-0) kept rolling along as the only unbeaten softball team in the Mountain Athletic Conference.

Harris is the primary pitcher for Reynolds. She allowed no hits and no runs in a 2.2. inning start Friday as the Rockets dominated Asheville High, 18-1.

Nominations for the Spring Sports Athlete of the Week in the following sports (baseball, girls soccer, boys golf, softball, boys tennis and track) will be accepted each weeked here on the HS Huddle blog. Anyone can submit a nomination. I will accept them either here on the blog (just leave a comment) or through e-mail (apearson@citizen-times.com).

Thomas Tatham and the Pisgah baseball team are off to a 7-0 start to this season.

Pisgah junior Thomas Tatham said that the key for an undefeated baseball team is everyone reaches for their potential while knowing their limits.

That balance is working wonders.

The Black Bears (7-0, 2-0) look like they will dramatically improve on last year’s 11-9 season if the start to this one is any indication.

“This group has been together a long time,” said Tatham, who is a first baseman/pitcher.

“Everyone understands the game and knows the role they play. No one person tries to do too much. It’s a nice feeling to be (undefeated). We just like to go out every day and work hard while not overlooking anyone.”

Weather permitting, Pisgah will travel to its biggest rival, Tuscola today for a 4:30 p.m. Western North Carolina Athletic Conference game.

And then on Wednesday, the Black Bears will technically be the home team for a 6:05 p.m. nonconference game versus Reynolds at McCormick Field.

Coach Harold Shepard said the opportunity to play a game at McCormick was made possible by a community donor who wishes to remain anonymous.

“The next couple of days are going to be a great experience,” Pisgah senior designated hitter/first baseman Dustin Messer said.

“We’re off to a good start, but I can honestly say that no one has gotten full of themselves. We’re happy to be in this position, but it’s still about the next game and that’s it.”

Tatham pitched a complete game five-hitter with six strikeouts and two walks Friday as Pisgah beat defending Western North Carolina Athletic Conference champion West Henderson in Canton, 5-3.

Johnson’s only hit was a home run, while Underwood had three RBIs in a four-run fifth inning.

Shepard has been the Black Bears’ coach since 2009.

“We’re still working to do some of the little things right,” Shepard said.

“You can’t be perfect, but the closer to perfect you are, the better you are. We’re trying to improve every game and the kids are really staying focused. And we’re making sure that some of the stuff and this early success doesn’t go to their heads.”

No one involved with the Pisgah program is overlooking the Tuscola game. But Shepard said it will be a neat experience for the Black Bears to play on the same field as the Single-A Asheville Tourists on Wednesday.

The Tourists do not play their season opener until April 3 – against the Delmarva (Md.) Shorebirds.

Pisgah and Reynolds were originally scheduled to play a McCormick game in 2013, but a renovation to the professional venue’s field was not complete and that moved the game to Reynolds’ Davis Field.

“Our guys are looking forward to this,” Shepard said.

“Some of these young men are going to get an opportunity to play in college, but some of them won’t. The opportunity to go out and play on a field like this is something I want them to enjoy. It could be the highlight of their career. Win, lose or whatever, I want them to go out and have a good time.”

Deal has been the offensive coordinator at Emerald (S.C.) since 2011 and has experience as a head coach at three different NCHSAA schools – Alexander Central, Lexington and Patton. His career record is 59-64.

Deal met with Rams players this morning for the first time.

He replaces Jim Beatty who resigned in February after going 54-42 in nine seasons. Roberson won the Mountain Athletic Conference 4-A championship for the third consecutive year.

The Asheville Tourists won’t be back in town until next month, but their field is getting some early use Wednesday.

Pisgah and Reynolds will play a 6:05 p.m. nonconference baseball game at McCormick Field.

Admission for spectators is $5.

The Black Bears (7-0) are one of the few unbeaten baseball teams left in Western North Carolina and technically the home team for Wednesday’s game. Coach Harold Shepard said the opportunity to play a game at McCormick was made possible by a community donor who wishes to remain anonymous.

Pisgah and Reynolds were originally scheduled to play a McCormick game in 2013. But the stadium’s renovated surface was not ready at the time and the game was moved to the Rockets’ Davis Field.

The Tourists, who are a Single-A affiliate of the Colorado Rockies, are scheduled to play the Delmarva (Md.) Shorebirds in their home opener on April 3.

Tuscola kicker Logan Lambert has accepted a walk-on spot with the Western Carolina football program.

As of today, the following 119 Western North Carolina athletes have committed or signed to play college sports. This list does include walk-on athletes. Coaches, parents and athletes, if you know of anyone we have missed, please contact me at apearson@citizen-times.com or 232-5863.

After graduation, Roberson alum Christian Moody played college basketball at Kansas.

Special thanks to Roberson for this information and the accompanying photos:

This year’s Ring of Gold induction ceremony and banquet will be held on Friday, May 2, 2014, at 5:45 pm at the Crowne Plaza Hotel Expo Center. The event is open to the public. Tickets may be purchased in the Roberson High School office for $20.00 per person.

T. C Roberson High School “Ring of Gold”

“Legends of Roberson Athletics”

The Roberson High School“Ring of Gold” was created to recognize and honor former student athletes, coaches and administrators who have demonstrated excellence while involved in Roberson athletics. These “Legends of Roberson Athletics” must have displayed outstanding achievement and service to the athletic programs as an athlete, coach or administrator while at Roberson High School as well as in their post-high school years. In short, the “Legends of Roberson Athletics” must be the best of the best to have participated in the athletic program at T.C.Roberson High School.

To be eligible for consideration into the “Ring of Gold”, a player must have been graduated a minimum of 10 years. A coach or other administrator must be at least 5 years removed from Roberson High School.

Tiffany Archuleta.

2014 Ring of Gold Inductees

Tiffany Allen Archuleta:(2000-2002) Tiffany played volleyball, basketball and soccer while at Roberson. In basketball, she was selected all conference in her junior and senior years. In her junior year, her team finished as state AAA runner-ups. In her senior year, she was chosen as Conference Player of the Year, the Citizen-Times Player of the Year and team MVP. She was selected to play in the East-West All Star game but was unable to participate due to her early West Point report date. She also played in the Blue-White All Star game. In soccer, Tiffany was all conference and all region both her junior and senior years. In her junior year, her team finished as state AAA runner-ups. In her senior soccer season, Tiffany was chosen as the conference Player of the Year and the Citizen-Times Player of the Year. She was also selected to the East-West All Star game and was named to the All-State team. Tifffany was chosen as the 3A-4A Most Outstanding Female Athlete in a team sport by the MAAC. The MAAC also selected her as a Coca-Cola Scholar Athlete winner. She was also recognized by the NCHSAA as a scholar athlete. Tiffany was in the National Honor Society and finished as a top 15 scholar at Roberson. After graduating from Roberson, Tiffany accepted an appointment to the US Military Academy at West Point. While at West Point, Tiffany was a four year letter winner in soccer for the Black Knights. At West Point, Tiffany made the Dean’s List all 8 semesters and was named to the Patriot League All-Academic team two years. She graduated from West Point in 2006 and was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant in the US Army. She was deployed to Iraq in 2007-2008 leading a platoon of 25 soldiers in combat. She was promoted to 1st Lieutenant and received the Army Commendation Medal in 2008. She was promoted to Captain in 2009 and was deployed to Afghanistan in 2009-2010. She received the Bronze Star for Meritorious Service as a Battalion Intelligence Officer. Tiffany transitioned from the Army with an honorable discharge in 2011. Following her service in the Army, Tiffany completed post-baccalaureate work at Auburn University. She will receive her Masters of Education in Sports Science and Nutrition from the University of Texas at Austin in May, 2014. She is also a certified strength and conditioning specialist. Tiffany also volunteers with Team Red, White and Blue, an organization that strives to enrich the lives of veterans by connecting them with their community through physical and social activity. Tiffany currently lives in Austin, Texas with her husband, Brandon, who is also a West Point graduate.

Christian Moody: (1998-2002) Christian played basketball and golf while at Roberson. His main sport was basketball. Christian played JV basketball for two years and varsity basketball for two years. In basketball, Christian was selected to the all conference team in his senior season. He was also chosen to play in the Blue-White All Star game. In his senior season, Christian was selected as team captain and was named team MVP. He was also chosen as the Citizen-Times Player of the Year. While a varsity player, Christian received the Golden Cager award each year. His senior season, the team finished as AAA regional runner-ups. Following his senior year, Christian finished as runner-up for the Mr. Basketball in NC award. After graduation, Christian accepted a walk-on position for the University of Kansas. While at Kansas, his teams won 3 Big 12 championships, made 4 NCAA appearances, one elite eight and one final four. Christian became a starter for Kansas his junior and senior seasons and earned a scholarship for his senior year. Following his senior season, he was nominated to play in the “Legends of Phog” All Star game. After graduating from Kansas, Christian played professionally in Taiwan, the Netherlands and Australia. In 2013, Christian graduated from the University of Kansas School of Medicine. He is currently an orthopedic resident at Greenville Memorial Hospital. Christian lives in Greenville with his wife, Nicole, and sons William and Daniel.

Jack Hendrix

Jack Hendrix: (1962-1968 & 1970-1979) Jack coached football, basketball and baseball and taught Social Studies during the years that he was at Roberson. Prior to his coming to Roberson, Jack played football at Western Carolina University where was captain and MVP of the football team. He then served in the Army Special Services in Okinawa where he played baseball and football for the Army. Jack began his career at Roberson in 1962 coaching football, basketball and baseball. Jack was part of the very first faculty that opened the new Roberson High School. He, along with several other strong leaders, helped to bring together several diverse communities that formed Roberson High School. He was a very influential teacher and coach to those early Roberson students. As baseball coach, his teams were BuncombeCounty champions in 1963 and 1965. Jack left Roberson to be the head football coach at AC Reynolds High School in 1969 and 1970. He returned to Roberson in 1970 and coached football until 1979 when he went to Owen High School as a driver education instructor. He later became the Buncombe County Coordinator for Driver’s Education. Jack retired from teaching in 2004 with 36 years of service to education. There have been many outstanding coaches at Roberson High School throughout its athletic history, but few are remembered as having the positive impact on young people as Jack Hendrix. During his tenure, he coached many All-Conference and All-County athletes. Jack passed away in February, 2013. He is survived by his wife, Jean, and daughters Sandy Austin and Kelly O’Brien.

Dennis Presley

Dennis Presley: (1974-1978) Dennis served as a manager to the Roberson football and basketball teams from his eighth grade year all the way through graduation. To the best of his knowledge, he never missed a practice or game during that time! After graduating from Roberson in 1978, Dennis joined the Skyland Fire Department and was hired as a full-time firefighter in 1979. He transferred to the Asheville Fire Department in 1988 but returned to Skyland as Chief in 1995. Dennis has served as Chief since that time. During his tenure at Skyland, Dennis has been instrumental in involving the SVFD in many aspects of community service. One of those has been Roberson High School athletics. Not only does the Skyland Volunteer Fire Department provide stand-by service at most home athletic events, but members of the department volunteer many hours of their time to support the health and PE classes as Roberson. For many years, the varsity football team has held its pregame meal at the Skyland fire department. Dennis has supported many of the athletic teams at Roberson, both as fire chief and as a fan. He seems never to say “no” when the Rams need him! Dennis lives in Arden with his wife, Lisa. They have two children, both Roberson graduates and former athletes, Katie and Chad.

Laneal Vaughn

Laneal Vaughn: (1980-1982) Laneal played tennis for all four years that he was in high school, including the two years he was at Roberson. He was undefeated in the regular season in both singles and doubles for all four years of high school, including the two years he was at Roberson. He was selected all conference for all four years. He was the conference champion in both singles and doubles for all four years, making him the conference Player of the Year for all four years. In his senior year, Laneal was the sectional and regional champion. In his senior year, Laneal was chosen as the WNC Individual Sport Athlete of the Year. Following graduation, Laneal attended Appalachian State University where he played #1 singles and doubles for all four years. In 1986, Laneal was ranked #27 in the NCAA Division 1 national rankings. In 1986, he won the NC state Men’s Open singles and doubles championships and was ranked #1 in North Carolina in both singles and doubles in the Men’s Open Division. In 1989, Laneal earned an ATP singles ranking in the top 600 in the world and an ATP doubles ranking in the top 300 in the world. In 1995, he was ranked #4 in the USTA singles and #2 in the USTA doubles in the Men’s 30 and over Division. Laneal was the owner of the Asheville Racquet Club from 1993-2010. Laneal lives in Asheville with his wife, Melanie, and daughters, Lauren and Ashleigh.

“We were up against a pitcher and a young man in (Black Hawks senior pitcher) Alex Destino who is about as good as any I’ve ever come across. We still made a lot of mistakes. But it’s like I tell our guys, you’re going to make mistakes. If you’re afraid of making a mistake, you’re going to be devastated when it happens, and we didn’t let it get to us today.”

Despite an early start (12:30 p.m.), nearly 1,000 fans poured onto North Buncombe’s campus for the Mountain Athletic Conference game. The Black Hawks used auxiliary parking on the lawn of their campus that hasn’t been needed for any game this season.

The Rams did not go down in order in any inning.

University of North Carolina recruit Braxton Davidson’s only hit was a two-out single in the second inning that plated two runs and gave Roberson (7-1, 4-1) the lead for good. Davidson also closed the game with one inning of relief, striking out all three batters he pitched to.

Batting out of the No. 8 spot, right fielder Chris Barnwell was 2-for-2 with a home run, a walk and three runs scored. Tennessee recruit Dominick Cammarata had a pair of singles and an RBI.

“It was a good team win today, a good team effort,” Cammarata said. “We had a lot of motivation for this game.”

Starting pitcher Ryan Goode worked the first four innings and left with Roberson holding a 6-1 lead. The Black Hawks (7-1, 4-1) went three up and three down in second and third innings. Their only baserunner during that two-inning stretch was picked off by a throw from Goode to Davidson at first base.

Marshall Beachboard, Adam Earley and then Davidson came on to finish things off.

“This is a game we were prepared for, and we showed what T.C. Roberson is all about,” Davidson said. “I’m proud of the guys on this team. We showed today with a win like this that we’re going to keep fighting.”

Roberson reached the 4-A Western Regional series for the third time in four seasons in 2013. But so far, this group has three more wins through eight games than a year ago.

The Rams were also able to do something Saturday that they couldn’t in 2013, find a way to beat Destino (3-1).

The South Carolina recruit struggled with his control and hit five batters in 3 1-3 innings. He was replaced by reliever Eric Reynolds. Destino’s departure from the mound cleared out a gaggle of major league scouts who were behind the backstop and shortly after that he was replaced in left field by Chase Parker in the Black Hawks’ lineup.

“Alex struggled with his control today, and he just couldn’t find a good rhythm,” North Buncombe coach Matt Landreth said. “All in all, it was just a tough day for us, but I’m confident that these kids will bounce back.”

Appalachian State recruit Carson Jones was 2-4 with an RBI and the only Black Hawks batter with multiple hits. First baseman Nolan Lisenbee was hit by three pitches.

North Buncombe made a late push with three runs in the sixth inning. Jones, Michael Ponder and Jordan Ferrell had RBI singles, and Eric Reynolds hit a sacrifice fly.

But the rally was too little, too late.

Davidson struck out the No. 2 (Ryan Rickey), No. 3 (Jones) and No. 4 (Lisenbee) batters in the Black Hawks lineup to end the game.

The Rockets scored 11 runs in the bottom of the first inning en route to an 18-1 win over visiting Asheville High that only lasted five innings.

Cami McLaughlin was 2-for-3, while Averi Arrowood and Aubree Sluder each finished with three RBIs. Kenzie Duncan went 2-5 and Amaron Craig was 1-3.

Josie Harris made a 2.2 inning start. She allowed no runs and no hits while striking out four Cougars. Reynolds continues to be one of the most improved softball teams in Western North Carolina under first-year coach Larry Brow, who is also the school’s athletic director.

The Rockets won just 11 total games in 2013. They are presently the only unbeaten softball team in the Mountain Athletic Conference.

Keep checking back for updates from this Mountain Athletic Conference baseball game in Weaverville. Hit refresh on your web browser to view the latest update. If there are any technical problems with the blog, updates will move to the HS Huddle’s social media pages on Facebook and Twitter.

2:45: Game over.

2:44: Another strikeout.

2:43: Back-to-back strikeouts for Davidson. Two outs with Nolan Lisenbee up to bat.

1:12: Josh McNair grounds into a 1-6-3 double play. Second double play of the day for North Buncombe’s defense. Two outs, no runners on.

1:10: Tennessee recruit Dominick Cammarata singles to left field to start the third inning.

1:09: Three up, three down. Good half-inning for Roberson pitcher Ryan Goode and the Rams D.

1:07: Two quick outs.

1:05: Eric Reynolds leading off the second inning for North Buncombe.

1:03: RUN ROBERSON. RUN ROBERSON. Davidson singles into right field. Rickey dives but can’t come up with it. Two runs score for Roberson, but the throw gets Davidson at second base. That’s the end of the top of the second.

1:02: Bases loaded and Braxton Davidson at the plate for Roberson.

1:01: RUN ROBERSON. Chris Barnwell’s infield single shifts the runners, and a throwing error allows Hiriak to come home and tie the game.

12:55: Single by Grant Hiriak to right field, but Ryan Rickey throws a laser from right field to get the lead Roberson runner at third base. Runner on second with two outs.

McCurry scattered four hits in a complete game outing and struck out 10 Warhorses in the Cougars’ 1-0 victory. He walked only two Owen batters and threw exactly 100 pitches.

At the plate, Mountain Heritage (2-5, 1-2) was led in its first Western Highlands Conference win by Drew Hoilman (2-for-3 with one run), Dalton Buchanan (2-4 and stolen base) and Caleb Garland (1-3 with an RBI).

The Citizen-Times will provide live updates from today’s Mountain Athletic Conference baseball game between North Buncombe and Roberson. The Rams (No. 2) and Black Hawks (No. 16) were both part of MaxPreps’ top-25 national rankings this week.

McDowell’s Raekwon Miller throws down a dunk Friday during the Blue-White All-Star boys basketball game in Skyland.

Baldwin Gym’s rims may never be the same again.

Raekwon Miller and the Blue boys put on a dunking exhibition Friday night with a little basketball mixed in between to win the Blue-White All-Star game at Roberson, 118-91.

Miller, who is a senior at McDowell, was named the game’s most valuable player.

The uncommitted guard said he is leaning towards UNC Asheville after netting a game-high 23 points to go along with eight assists and eight rebounds.

“A lot of people approach All-Star games the wrong way and they want to be selfish,” Miller said.

“That’s not what I wanted to do. I wanted to get everyone involved.”

And Miller did just that, even though he had 12 points at halftime and knocked down three shots from 3-point range in the final 20 minutes.

Miller, R-S Central’s Jay’lun Hollis (20 points) and East Rutherford’s Devonte Boykins (19) finished off their share of fast breaks with dunks, too, often lobbing the ball to one another or even using the Baldwin backboards to set up the slams.

Miller averaged 23.3 points per game in his final high school season for the Titans and set a school record by scoring 48 points in the first round of the NCHSAA 4-A playoffs.

“I wouldn’t have changed anything,” Miller said of his senior year.

Mitchell’s Austin Mask added 13 points for the Blue boys and Owen’s Michael Pomeroy had 11, including the team’s first nine points of the second half.

Pisgah guard Sheridan Pressley was named the most valuable player of the girls game after dishing out 10 assists and scoring six points in the White’s 63-50 win.

The White team was led, points-wise, by Cherokee’s Avery Mintz (14) and Robbinsville’s Amber Long (12), while North Buncombe’s Haley Higgins (14 points) was the only player in double figures for the Blue.

The Blue girls led by four points at intermission thanks to six apiece from Kelsi McHone (North Buncombe) and Bristol.

Whitney DeMoss (Enka) and McQuade each had four points for the White team at halftime.

Pisgah’s Mariah Lewis and Sheridan Pressley, along with Henson and Tuscola’s Peyton Fisher keyed a 10-0 run to start the second half, and the White never trailed again.

“It took a little while to get settled in, but we played great after that,” said Robbinsville’s Elle King, who was the White coach. “All the girls had a good time together, and that’s the most important thing.”

Pressley, who has signed with Queens, only finished with six points. But she dished out 10 assists to earn the game’s most valuable player award.

Friday was the 62nd anniversary for the boys game, while the girls were playing for the 38th year. The charity exhibitions benefit local children with developmental disabilities.

Seven meet records were set Thursday in pleasant conditions at the WHKP Relays.

Numerous event winners returned home from North Henderson with career-best heights, marks and times.

Lee Pantas just wishes that all those noteworthy performances had been recognized equally.

Boys winners were awarded medals Thursday for either track races or field events, while the girls only received ribbons.

Pantas is an assistant track coach for Reynolds but has also worked with some of Western North Carolina’s top boys and girls hurdlers at a variety of schools in the past. He coaches in the offseason with the Asheville Lightning Junior Olympics team.

“(The WHKP awards) should have been equitable, and it had repercussions this year,” Pantas said.

“It doesn’t seem like it was a deliberate thing now, but I hope it’s a lesson learned. They need to have the same awards for everyone in the future.”

Pantas said he became aware of the disparity after the Rockets set a meet record in the girls shuttle hurdles (1 minute, 7.07 seconds). None of the girls on that relay, including senior Mariah Richardson, actually accepted the ribbons.

“We were angry, but we were adults about it,” Richardson said.

The boys portion of the WHKP Relays is in its 53rd year, while Thursday’s the girls meet was the 20th installment. This year’s meet was only the second time that the boys and girls have competed on the same day at the same site. There were no complaints about the awards process in 2013.

WHKP vice president and advertising director Richard Rhodes handles the Henderson County AM radio station’s sponsorship duties for the track meet.

For the past 15 years, he said the agreement between WHKP and the host schools is that the station will provide team trophies for boys and girls, along with individual event awards for the boys. The host schools are responsible for providing the girls individual awards.

WHKP spent about $500 on medals and team trophies this year, while North Henderson girls track coach Heang Uy said his school footed the $300 bill to provide the girls ribbons for the girls.

Pantas said he expressed his frustration with the WHKP on-air talent who were handing out awards at Thursday’s meet and briefly spoke with station president Art Cooley. Rhodes said the decision to combine the boys and girls meets was made last year by the schools, not WHKP.

“We don’t make a dime off this meet,” Rhodes said. “Our agreement has always been that we would provide medals for the boys and four big trophies for the first and second-place teams. For someone to get belligerent about that, it really makes us consider canceling the whole thing.”

The Roberson girls (130 points) and boys (112) won Thursday’s WHKP team championships.

Rams girls coach Andy Morgan said he has not heard any complaints from his athletes about the WHKP awards in the past couple years nor does he think there is anything malicious at work. Hendersonville athletic director Scott Moore said the difference in awards was about “a lack of communication” and could be remedied.

Similarly, Uy said he anticipates the issue will be resolved if WHKP continues its longstanding sponsorship.

“In short, a wrong was rightfully brought to our attention,” Uy wrote in an e-mail to the Citizen-Times. “It’s been addressed.”

Uy pointed out that awards are not given at every Western North Carolina regular season meet, and it would be difficult for the meet to carry on without WHKP’s sponsorship.

The format for Thursday’s competition only included team winners for events.

Thursday’s 5-1 win over Hendersonville was the first game for the Avery County softball team on an artificial turf infield.

Installation of the surface was ongoing when the Vikings announced the hiring of first-year coach Mike Shook in December.

Avery is believed to be the first Western North Carolina softball program with artificial turf. The Vikings are one of 14 area programs which also have an artificial turf athletic field for use predominately by their football and soccer teams.

Owen senior Shawn Clemmer has been named the baseball season’s first Diamond Mine Dugout Club Player of the Week.

Special thanks to the Diamond Mine for this information and the above photo:

The Diamond Mine is pleased to announce that Shawn Clemmer a senior from Owen High School has been named The Diamond Mine Dugout Club Player of the week for March 10th – 14th . Clemmer had a solid week for the Warhorses going 4×7 with a double, a triple 3 RBI’s and 3 stolen bases in two victories for Owen against AshevilleChristianAcademy and Avery High School. The senior has been a leader for the Warhorses in the early part of the season. Clemmer is coached by Anthony Lee.

Reynolds showed its might Thursday in a matchup between two state-ranked girls soccer teams.

Nina Stapleton scored twice in the first nine minutes for the Rockets, who cruised to a 6-2 win over homestanding Asheville Christian Academy.

UNC Asheville recruit Zoe Lewis was credited with the assist on Stapleton’s first goal in the sixth minute, while Megan McCallister added a goal and an assist.

Christina Shimshock, Kaley Cross and Jordan Melvin also netted goals, while Karissa Grooms and Rochelle Close had assists for the Rockets (11-0-0), who are No. 1 in the latest N.C. Soccer Coaches Association NCHSAA 3-A poll.

Rosman’s Jay Hale has committed to play college baseball for Southern Wesleyan.

They may have done it in much different manners.

But the Hendersonville and Rosman baseball teams both remained undefeated Thursday with conference wins.

The Bearcats (7-0, 2-0) plated two runs in the bottom of the ninth to edge Western Highlands Conference foe Madison, 4-3, in extra innings.

Michael Schmidt was 3-for-5 with the game-winning RBI, while Blake Lyda and Derrik Doyle were both 1-3. Noah Linhart was the winning pitcher with 0.2 innings of scoreless relief. He did not allow any hits or walks. Madison’s Tyler Rogers was 2-3 with a double and two runs, while James Gosnell went 2-4 with two RBIs.

Tuesday’s game at Hendersonville was originally scheduled for Tuesday, but postponed twice by wet field conditions.

Rosman (5-0, 4-0) scored 14 runs in the first three innings of Thursday’s 15-5 home win over Cherokee.

Southern Wesleyan recruit Jay Hale was 2-for-2 with a double and four RBIs. Hood (Md.) recruit Eric Turner went 1-2 with three RBIs and Tyler Petit was 1-3 with two RBIs.

Roberson’s Casey Greenwalt, shown here during cross country season, set a meet record at Thursday’s WHKP Relays in Hendersonville.

Here are individual results from Thursday’s WHKP Relays track meet at North Henderson. The Roberson girls (130 points) and boys (112) won the team championships and the following meet records were set:

Elle King and Scotty McMahan were never fortunate enough to play in the Blue-White All-Star basketball games.

Coaching has been the next best thing and then some.

“I’ve loved every second of it. It’s been a coach’s dream,” said King, who has been Robbinsville’s girls coach for three seasons.

“I think so far it’s been one of the highlights of my career. Just being asked to take part was a highlight. There are going to be a lot of really talented young women in this game with bright futures.”

King and McMahan (Swain County boys) will coach the White teams Friday opposite of Sue Moon (North Henderson girls) and Ricky McDevitt (Madison boys) who are in charge of the Blue squads.

The Blue-White All-Star games, now in the 62nd year for boys and 38th for girls, are only open to high school seniors.

Tip-off times for Friday at Roberson are 7 p.m. for the girls and 9 for the boys.

Teams hand-picked by the coaches have been practicing throughout this week for the charity exhibition games, which each consist of two 20-minute halves.

King’s White roster will include a familiar face in Black Knights senior Amber Long, but also three players who have already signed to play college basketball — Cherokee’s Avery Mintz (Lenoir-Rhyne), Franklin’s Sarah Henson (Lenoir-Rhyne) and Pisgah’s Sheridan Pressley (Queens).

Also on the White squad is Hayesville senior Meghan McQuade, who averaged an area-best 21.5 points per game this winter and was the N.C. Basketball Coaches Association’s pick for district player of the year.

Moon’s Blue roster features Roberson senior Cheyenne Logan, a former Mountain Athletic Conference player of the year who has signed with Lenoir-Rhyne. North Buncombe’s tandem of Haley Higgins and Kelsi McHone are among the Blue team’s 1,000-point scorers. North Henderson’s Cameron Pryor has committed to play college volleyball for UNC Asheville.

Avery County forward/guard Lauren Burleson was added as a late replacement on Wednesday. Burleson will fill the spot left by Roberson’s Lauren Moody, who has pulled out because of her involvement with the Rams track and field program.

King is coaching in the Blue-White games for the first time as is McMahan.

He quarterbacked the Maroon Devils to a NCHSAA 1-A football championship in 2004 and was promoted to replace former Swain County boys basketball coach Frank Maennle back in August.

“I’m really fortunate to have the opportunity to be around such a talented group of guys,” McMahan said. “From what I’ve seen in practice, it really speaks to the type of programs that these players come from. They’ve earned the right to be here.”

Maroon Devils senior Raymius Smith is on McMahan’s team as is Hendersonville’s Cody Westmoreland (21.2 ppg.).

Erwin’s Josh Ingle helped the Warriors (23-1) enjoy their first unbeaten regular season in school history, and Jesse Anderson (15.2 ppg.) was the leading scorer for a sectional championship Pisgah boys team.

The Blue team will counter with the WHC player of the year (Mitchell’s Austin Mask) and McDowell’s Raekwon Miller, who averaged a WNC-best 23.3 points per game and set a single-season school record (48 points) in the NCHSAA 4-A playoffs.

Buncombe County’s leading scorer from this past season – Owen’s Michael Pomeroy (22.9 ppg.) – was also No. 1 in the WHC.

Proceeds from tickets for Friday night’s games ($10 for adults and $8 for students) benefit local children with developmental disabilities.

Avery County forward/guard Lauren Burleson has been added to Friday night’s Blue-White All-Star basketball games as a late replacement.

Burleson will fill the spot left by Roberson’s Lauren Moody, who has pulled out due to her involvement with the Rams track and field program.

The Blue-White games are annual charity contests between Western North Carolina seniors which benefit local children with developmental disabilities. The boys game is 62 years old, while the girls game is in its 38th year.

Friday’s games will take place at Roberson, with the girls slated to begin at 7 p.m., followed by the boys at 9.

Coaches, if you faxed stats, they will be added to this list later on today…

WNC baseball, softball leaders

Western North Carolina baseball and softball coaches have been asked to submit their statistics each week in the following categories. Schools which did not submit stats are not included. Coaches may turn in their leaders each Wednesday by 3 p.m. by e-mailing apearson@citizen-times.com or sending a fax to 251-0585.

Fletcher pitcher Logan Allen headlines a group of Western North Carolina baseball players who are part of the Perfect Game Underclassmen All-American teams.

Allen, a left-handed junior who plays for the IMG Academy in Bradenton, Fla., is a second-team selection who has committed to play college baseball for South Carolina.

McDowell pitcher Trevor Newman, Reynolds shortstop Cory Watt and Smoky Mountain catcher Cal Raleigh received high honorable mention for the Perfect Game team. Raleigh has committed to play in college for Clemson.

Reynolds pitchers Branson Holmes and Jon Merrill and Asheville High third baseman Miles Moore are part of the honorable mention team.